One-liners: ‘It is necessary I end relationship with Vince’

Motley Crue singer Vince Neil and TV presenter girlfriend Alicia Jacobs have split up just as he completes house arrest for his recent drink-driving conviction. She says: “Due to the decisions Vince continues to make, it is necessary that I end our relationship of seven months. I wish him happiness and good health.”

Iron Maiden will release a two-disc compilation album, From Fear to Eternity, on May 23, consisting of material from the past two decades. Track listing: CD1 The Wicker Man, Hols Smoke, El Dorado, Paschendale, Different World, Man on the Edge (live), The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg, Blood Brothers, Rainmaker, Sign of the Cross (live), Brave New World, Fear of the Dark (live); CD2 Be Quick or Be Dead, Tailgunner, No More Lies, Coming Home, The Clansman (live), For the Greater Good of God, These Colours Don’t Run, Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter, Afraid to Shoot Strangers, Dance of Death, When the Wild Wind Blows.

Former Journey bassist Randy Jackson says it’s not impossible he and singer Steve Perry could rejoin the band one day. “I said to him just recently, ‘If you do it, I’ll do it’ – so we never know,” Jackson comments.

Anvil‘s new album Juggernaut of Justice is released on May 10 and includes new material alongside older tracks: Juggernaut of Justice, When Hell Breaks Loose, New Orleans Voodoo, On Fire, Fuckin’ Eh, Turn it Up, The Ride, Not Afraid, Conspiracy, Running, Paranormal, Swing Thing.

DJ Ashba says people want Axl Rose to be an asshole – but he’s not. The GnR guitarist says: “I met him ten years ago and he was the nicest guy, but you hear all the rumours. Now he’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had. We talk every single day and he’s funny as shit and always cracking jokes.”

The Alice Cooper Band release a $260 box set in June, packaged in a school desk. It includes four CDs of demos, live recordings and interviews, a 64-page hardback book, two programmes, ticket stubs, set list, five photo prints, a bootleg vinyl album, a vinyl single, plus immediate download of an exclusive Elected video.

TV on the Radio bassist and keyboardist Gerard Smith is fighting lung cancer, the band have revealed. They say: “He’s undergoing treatment and will be unable to participate in the coming tour. Gerard is fortunate enough to have health insurance and is receiving excellent care. We have already seen dramatic results.”

Joe Satriani says Chickenfoot have nearly completed their second album, with the working title Chickenfoot IV, and he’s relieved to get a break from drummer Chad Smith. The guitarist explains: “This time I played in Sammy Hagar’s vocal booth, which allowed me to be isolated from the drums. Standing in a room recording with Chad was a problem – he’s so loud he overpowers my headphones. He just puts everything into what he does, which is great, but after an hour I can’t tell what my guitar sounds like. All I can hear are drums and cymbals.”

Grand Magus have cancelled their upcoming tour while drummer Sebastian Sippola is treated for deep-vein thrombosis. The band say: “The immediate effect is he can’t play at all because of the pain and swelling. He’s in hospital at the moment and will have to be checked daily for the duration of the treatment. This is a terrible situation but it’s not something that can be solved in any other way.”

Slipknot have launched a Paul Gray tribute t-shirt, and all proceeds will go to the Musicares charity for struggling musicians. Buy here.

Musicradar has chosen the Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer as the best effects pedal of its kind. the £205 device tops a poll of 42 and the publication says: “This stomper has been on more records and used in more concerts than any other overdrive or distortion pedal. It’s spawned endless clones and modded versions.”